Neonatal meningitis in Addis Ababa: a 10-year review

In a hospital population-based retrospective study of neonatal meningitis, 55 cases were identified over a period of 10 years. The prevalences of meningitis for preterm and term newborns were 3.66 and 0.97 per 1000, respectively (22/6465 vs 33/36638; p < 0.01). The overall prevalence was 1.37 per 1000 live births. Twenty-two (40%) babies with meningitis died, more preterm than term (13/22 vs 9/33; p < 0.05). Known maternal risk factors for neonatal meningitis were observed in 15 (27%) babies. The risk factors were more common in preterm than in term newborns (10/22 vs 5/33; p < 0.05). The common causative organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp. which together accounted for 67% of all CSF isolates. These organisms were evenly distributed between early- and late-onset meningitis, and among term and preterm newborns. Seven of 33 (21%) of the surviving newborns developed neurological complications. The short-term sequelae were hydrocephalus, spastic paresis and seizures.